Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)

Apply now for:
April 2024
Deadline to apply:
Middle of October 2023
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)
  • Recommended for Westerners

    The school’s curriculum has accounted for students who need more time and support to learn Kanji, etc.

  • Dormitories Available

    This school introduces affordable shared living spaces.

  • Apartments Available

    This school introduces private apartments.

  • Homestay Available

    This school introduces local Japanese families where students can live while studying.

  • In-School Activities

    This school organizes regular interactive & cultural activities in the school.

  • Out-of-School Activities

    This school organizes out-of-school day-trips, excursions and events throughout the year.

  • Student Lounge

    Space outside of the classroom is available for students to interact casually and/or study.

*Click each feature for details

School Introduction

Located in Beppu, in Oita Prefecture just outside of Fukuoka, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)'s program offers the opportunity to complete your bachelor degree, Master or PhD while studying in a unique multicultural learning environment. Indeed almost each program is conducted not only in Japanese but also in English! In order to contribute to international peace, freedom and mutual understanding, the mission of the school is to create global leaders across all fields and industries. Classes are interactive and there are countless opportunities to gain real-world experience through programs such as volunteering, study abroad and internships. Upon graduation, you are equipped with essential knowledge and intercultural communication skills to work anywhere in the world, which is why APU’s graduates are in high demand by companies, organizations and graduate schools across the globe. Students can choose between three undergraduate majors - Asia Pacific Studies (APS), International Management (APM) and Sustainability and Tourism (ST) - and study with highly experienced faculty members from all over the world. Thanks to APU’s flexible curriculum, students can broaden their knowledge by taking courses from each college, regardless of their major. In the first and second year, English-based students will study courses related to their major in English while also learning the Japanese language. The goal is to raise students’ proficiency enough to be able to take major-related courses in either language for their further studies.The environment at APU is conducive for multicultural exploration and learning and encourages you to grow into a responsible and successful global citizen. APU invites you to make the most of this unique environment to lay the foundation for your future success.

 

Interested in APU? Join our online seminars:

Friday, February 17 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, February 20 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)
Friday, March 3 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, March 6 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)
Friday, March 17 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, March 20 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)
Friday, March 31 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, April 3 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)

 

Total Number of Students: 5691
Japanese Level Requirement: Complete beginners accepted
Enrolment Terms: April, September
Minimum Course Duration: 2 Years

Main Features

Dual language education
At APU, you can decide if you would rather take your classes in English or in Japanese.
No Japanese skill required
Come as you are and APU will dispense you Japanese language classes according to your current level while you are pursuing your major.
Multicultural environment
Half of APU’s students and staff come from all over the world, making the school an ideal setting for cultural exchange.
Career success
90% of APU’s job looking students in the last 3 years successfully found full time employment after their graduation.Because the students of the school are particularly
attractive for Japanese and international firms, almost 200 companies visit the campus each year to recruit.
Global-accredited university
AACSB Accredited

School Location

The rural town of Beppu offers many attractions to everyone wishing to immerse themselves into Japanese culture. Beside many local festivals and events, Beppu is particularly famous for its unmatched range of baths to be enjoyed. From ordinary onsen or mud baths to sand baths and steam baths, the city hosts no less than 2,000 hot springs baths which makes it a very popular destination. In addition to being a safe and low-cost city, the city enjoys an exceptional environment, located just between the mountains and the ocean and many places are worth a visit, such as the spectacular Hells of Beppu.

Nearest Stations:
Kamegawa Station (around 15 minutes by bus)
Beppu Station (around 35 minutes by bus)
Hakata Station (Fukuoka City – around 140 minutes by bus)

Available Courses

  • Undergraduate Courses
  • Graduate Courses

Undergraduate Courses

Course Description

Bachelor of Sustainability and Tourism

  • 4-year program
  • Yearly intake: 350
  • Classes among those subjects:★ Environmental Studies
    ★ Resource Management
    ★ International Development
    ★ Tourism Studies
    ★ Tourism Industry Operations
    ★ Hospitality Operation
    ★ Social Entrepreneurship
    ★ Regional Development
    ★ Data Science & Information System

 

Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc)

  • 4-year program
  • Yearly intake: 225
  • Classes among those subjects:★ Culture, Society and Media
    ★ Global Economy
    ★ International Relations

 

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

  • 4-year program
  • Yearly intake: 380
  • Classes among those subjects:★ Strategic Management and Leadership
    ★ Marketing
    ★ Accounting and Finance
    ★ Entrepreneurship and Operations Management

 

Japanese Classes (compulsory for all undergraduate degrees)

★ Japanese Foundation Course I
★ Japanese Foundation Course II
★ Japanese Foundation Course III
★ Japanese Intermediate Course
★ Pre-Advanced Japanese
★ Advanced Japanese

Enrolment Periods & Duration

First Year Applicants and Second year Transfer Applicants Residing Outside Japan

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Early June

Late June

Late June

Late August

Late August

Late September

Late September

Mid October

September Early September

Early October

Early October

Late November

Early December

Mid January

Mid January

Early February

All Applicants Residing in China

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Early August

Early October

September Late October

Mid November

Early January

Mid January

Late February

Mid March

All Applicants Residing in India

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Early June

Late June

Late June

Late August

Late August

Late September

Late September

Mid October

September Early October

Late October

Late March

Mid April

All Applicants Residing in Indonesia

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Early June

Late June

Late June

Late August

Late August

Late September

Late September

Mid October

September Mid October

Early November

Mid December

Early January

Mid January

Early February

Late March

Early April

All Applicants Residing in Korea

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Early June

Mid June

Late August

Mid September

Late October

Mid November

September Early November

Early March

All Applicants Residing in Thailand

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Early June

Late July

Late August

Late October

September Early November

Late January

Late January

Early March

All Applicants Residing in Vietnam

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Early August

Late August

Mid September

Late October

September Late September

Late October

Late October

Late November

Late January

Mid February

Early March

Late March

Third Year Transfer Applicants Residing Outside Japan

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Late June

Late August

Late August

Late September

September Late October

Late November

Late January

Early March

First Year Applicants and Second Year Transfer Applicants Residing in Japan

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Late June

Late July

Late September

Late October

Late November

Mid January

September Early November

Mid January

Late January

Early March

Mid April

Mid May

Third Year Transfer Applicants Residing in Japan

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Late August

Late September

Late October

Late November

September Late January

Early March

Early April

Mid May

Course Features & Electives

  • JAPANESE CLASSES

    Students who have completed the major Japanese language courses required for graduation may choose from the following programs if they wish to develop their language skills and knowledge of Japan:

    • Career Japanese
    • Language and Culture in Japan
    • Language and Social Topics in Japan
    • Kanji and Vocabulary Skills
    • Japanese for Self-expression
    • Japanese Communication Skills

Tuition Fees

yearly Tuition
First Year ¥1,300,000
Second Year ¥1,500,000
Third Year ¥1,500,000
Fourth Year ¥1,500,000

 

Other fees
Admission fee ¥200,000
Insurance for First Year Students ¥17,540
Insurance for Second Year Transfer Students ¥13,400
Insurance for Third Year Transfer Students ¥9,250

 

AP House Monthly Rent¥52,000

Accommodation fees
AP House Entrance Fees ¥104,000 (2-month rent)
¥32,000 (moving-in fee)
¥98,000 (security deposit)

 

Interested in APU? Join our online seminars:

Friday, February 17 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, February 20 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)
Friday, March 3 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, March 6 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)
Friday, March 17 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, March 20 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)
Friday, March 31 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, April 3 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)

Because our counselling service is free,
the tuition fees listed here will be the same as the school’s original tuition fees.

Graduate Courses

Course Description

Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (Master’s)

Master’s in Asia Pacific Studies

  • 2-year program
  • 15 students
  • Divisions:★ International Relations (IR)
    ★ Society and Culture (SC)

 

Master’s in International Cooperation Policy

  • 2-year program
  • 45 students
  • Divisions:★ International Public Administration (IPA)
    ★ Sustainability Science (SS)
    ★ Tourism and Hospitality (TH)
    ★ Development Economics (DE)

    As part of the Sustainability Science division, APU offers the IMAT program (International Material Flow Management Program) which is a dual degree program where the student will spend their first year studying at APU, and the second year at the Zero-Emission Campus Birkenfeld in Germany.

 

Graduate School of Management (MBA)

Master of Business Administration

  • 2-year program
  • Intake: 40
  • Specialization:★ Accounting and Finance (AF)
    ★ Marketing and Management (MM)
    ★ Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Operations Management (EIM)
    ★ Japanese Management (JM)

 

Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (Doctoral)

Doctor of Philosophy in Asia Pacific Studies

  • 3-year program
  • Yearly intake: 10

Enrolment Periods & Duration

Master’s Programs

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Late September

Early November

Late October

Early December

September Late September

Mid November

Mid November

Late January

Mid January

Early March

Late March

Mid May

Early april

Mid May

Late May

Mid July

Doctoral Programs

Intake Application Start Date Application Deadline
April Late September

Early November

Late October

Early December

September Late September

Mid November

Mid November

Late January

Mid January

Early March

Late March

Mid May

Late May

Mid July

Course Features & Electives

  • JAPANESE CLASSES

    Students who have completed the major Japanese language courses required for graduation may choose from the following programs if they wish to develop their language skills and knowledge of Japan:

    • Career Japanese
    • Language and Culture in Japan
    • Language and Social Topics in Japan
    • Kanji and Vocabulary Skills
    • Japanese for Self-expression
    • Japanese Communication Skills

Tuition Fees

Tuition
Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (Master’s)

¥2,800,000

For IMAT (Dual Degree Program in International Material Flow Management) there is an aditional yearly fee of ¥200,000 + an administration fee of approximatly 172 euros during the thrid and fourth semesters to Trier University of Applied Sciences in Germany

Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (Doctoral) ¥4,300,000
Graduate School of Management (MBA) ¥3,800,000

 

Other fees
Admission fee ¥200,000
Insurance for Master’s Program ¥9,250
Insurance for IMAT Program ¥5,120
Insurance for Doctoral Program ¥13,400

 

AP House 4 Monthly Rent¥49,000

Accommodation fees
AP House 4 Entrance Fees (April enrollment) ¥98,000 (2-month rent)
¥33,000 (moving-in fee)
¥98,000 (security deposit)

 

Interested in APU? Join our online seminars:

Friday, February 17 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, February 20 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)
Friday, March 3 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, March 6 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)
Friday, March 17 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, March 20 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)
Friday, March 31 10:15 ~ 11:00 (JST)
Monday, April 3 18:00 ~ 18:45 (JST)

Because our counselling service is free,
the tuition fees listed here will be the same as the school’s original tuition fees.

Student Demographics

Asia

89.6%

Europe

4.6%

Africa

2.3%

North, Central and South America

2.5%

Oceania

0.7%

Middle East

0.3%

Our Free Services

We aim to support all students who are interested in coming to Japan to study & live.
For this reason, we provide all of these services at not cost to you.
  • School & Visa
    Application Support

  • Free Japanese
    Language Lessons

  • Accommodation
    Setup

  • 24-Hour
    Emergency Assistance

For free information & consultation about this and other schools in Japan

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